W2 L4a - Evolving on Land: The Amniotes Flashcards
What are the 4 phylogenetically distinct groups in the Amniotes?
- Synapsida (Mammals & Mammal-like reptiles)
- Testudines (Turtles)
- Archosauromprha (Crocodiles, Dinosaurs, & Birds)
- Lepidosauromorpha (Lizards and Snakes)
What is a clade?
A group consisting of a single common ancestor and all it’s descendants
What does the cladogram of extant tetrapods look like?
—————————————— Amphibians
Synapsids
Turtles A
Turtles B
Sphenodon
Lizards
Snakes
Crocodiles
Birds
- Synapsids and under are Amniotes *
** Turtles and under are Sauropsids **
When did Amniotes evolve on land?
Around mid-Carboniferous (major radiation in Permian)
What are the defining features of Amniotes?
- Waterproof integument (skin) ➡ reduced or no respiration
- Developed lungs ➡ for respiration
- Increasing complexity of the heart
- Skeletal and skull changes ➡ locomotion and foraging
- Muscle changes in head and body ➡ locomotion and foraging
- Amniotic eggs ➡ **Most Important feature separating amphibians from all other Terrestrial vertebrates (Amniotes)
What is the Amniotic Egg?
- cleido = Greek “closed”
- Contains Amniotic fluid, Embryo, Yolk Sac, etc.
Amniotic Egg: Shell Features
- Leathery or calcified shell **still subject to desiccation
- Structural support in air
- Allows gas exchange ➡ H2O, O2, CO2
- Survival in drier areas
- Size ➡ direct development
- bypass larval stages; no gills
- larger (fewer, higher surv.) offspring - Internal Fertilization
Amniotic Egg: Yolk Features
- Nutrients; fuel
- ALL vertebrates have extra embryonic membranes enclosing yolk
** i.e. not unique to amniotes
Amniotic Egg: Unique Components
- Chorion: outer membrane for gas exchange
Allantois, Amnion, Yolk sac all inside Chorion - Allantois: “bladder” that stores nitrogenous waste
- Amnion: inner membrane providing cushion against mechanical shock
Amniotes split into what 2 major groups?
- Synapsids and Sauropsids
What are the specialized characteristics that differ in Synapsids and Sauropsids?
- Locomotor systems compatible with higher rates of lung ventilation
2.Reduced lateral undulations ➡ leg positioning
- Respiratory and excretory systems to conserve H2O
- Ecto- ➡ Endothermy
Describe the lung ventilation and locomotion in Amniotes
Sprawling Gait: conflict between running and breathing, to combat this:
- Locomotion & Respiration separated: for higher rates of lung ventilation - Reduced Lateral Undulations: changes in leg positioning - Respiratory and Circulatory systems changed
How do the brain structures differ in Synapsids vs Sauropsids?
Synapsids: good olfaction (smell), poor vision
Sauropsids: good vision, poor olfaction
- Specialize in diurnal activity
What is diurnal activity?
Active during the day, sleep at night
What is one of the main differences between Synapsids and Sauropsids?
The skull; separated by differences in the “temporal fenestration”